By Jeff Devine – Dale County Chronicle
The Kiwanis Club of Ozark marked a busy week of community-focused service, delivering books, reading to local children, and welcoming a guest speaker who offered powerful insight into the challenges and mission of rural EMS.
Books Delivered to Foster Children at DHR
Early in the week, Kiwanis member Paige Heffiner delivered a new batch of donated books to the Dale County Department of Human Resources to support local foster children.
Heffiner was joined by Jennifer Roessel and Lashunda Patton of DHR for the delivery.
“We are so grateful to play even a small part in serving our community and supporting these sweet children,” the club shared. “Every act of kindness, big or small, makes a difference.”
Kiwanis Volunteers Read to Head Start Students
On Tuesday, four Kiwanis members—Diane Cook, Rhonda Hayes, Sheila Waller, and Tavia Ragan-Scott—visited the local Head Start program to read to students and provide each child with a book to take home.
The reading initiative is one of the club’s annual projects, and by the end of the school year, every Head Start student will receive three new books.
“The children love the books,” the club noted, emphasizing the importance of early reading and literacy support.
Echo EMS Leader Shares Journey and Challenges of Rural Emergency Care
Also on Tuesday, the Kiwanis Club welcomed guest speaker Heath Hughes, State Representative for the EMS Council for Dale County and leader of Echo EMS.
Hughes shared the remarkable story of launching his first ambulance service at just 18 years old and walked members through the rising operational costs of equipment, fuel, and medical transport from 1997 to today. He emphasized the realities of sustaining rural EMS, including the critical role of community partnerships, non-emergency transports, and inter-facility transfers.
Members also gained insight into the financial and logistical considerations behind helicopter transport and the day-to-day dedication required to keep emergency response services available.
Echo EMS provides coverage for roughly half of Dale County and continues to serve with distinction. Hughes encouraged residents to support the agency through community events such as the Echo Rodeo and local fish fries.
“We are blessed to be in a county that offers EMS service,” the club said. “When possible, please help support their mission.”
They expressed gratitude for Hughes’s time, passion, and continued service to the people of Dale County.
Images below were shared by the Kiwanis Club of Ozark:
Heath Hughes, State Representative for the EMS Council for Dale County and leader of Echo EMS, speaks to the Kiwanis Club on Tuesday, December 9. All images included with this report were shared by the Kiwanis Club of Ozark on their social media page.
